Southern Moderate African American Issues

Uncle Sam and Rev. Wright

For me, being an uncle is an important role and we should all know our roles. Avuncular is an adjective that means “of or pertaining to an uncle.” Uncles and aunts serve as part-time parents like the Parents Reserves—one weekend a month and two weeks per year.

A kid may hangout with good old uncle Teddy for a short period of time and then it’s back to the parents because Sports Center or Jeopardy is on the box.

History buffs know that the term Uncle Sam came from meat-producer Samuel Wilson who provided barrels of processed meat to our troops during the War of 1812. That aid is the source of the term pork barrel spending.

An uncle shouldn’t take the place of parents and young people should never have kids with plans for mama, daddy, uncle, aunt or Uncle Sam to provide long-term support.

Readers of this blog know that Uncle Teddy welcomed the Obama campaign and presidency in part to hear the Obamas/Robinsons cut loose on their methods for family success: education, hard work, hose to the grin stone, eyes on the prize, and avoiding toxic people. I am still waiting for them to speak frankly but I can tell that the First Lady is going to write one important book on the subject after they exit the White House. She is going to tell us what is really wrong with us in her opinion and she will be so very right.

Uncle Sam isn’t your daddy. Uncles can help create nurturing environments but uncles and aunts cannot do for you what you must do for yourself. The late, great Bernie Mack took in his sister’s kids but that guy was rich. Most uncles and aunts aren’t rich and neither is Uncle Sam.

The Obama Administration (the current Uncle Sam) should explain the national debt to regular Americans and employ the JFK statement about “what you can do for your country.” You should have kids after age 25 with someone with a proven income who is emotionally-developed. You should focus on a career path in school. You should honor the fight for freedom by staying out of jail.

I might be eccentric Uncle Teddy in my family because “there is no-telling what Uncle Teddy might say next.” But time will tell that “unc” or auntie say what the parents didn’t or wouldn’t.

To me, Rev. Jeremiah Wright was Obama’s uncle and the White House’s message would be better if he was around. Yes, the old guy said some wild things but all old guys do that—they earned the right as combat vets. When the old guys who drink coffee at McDonald’s ask me if I am my father’s “boy,” there is no need to trip.

But, Rev. Wright’s directives to Black America are rooted in the self-determination mentality that existed before the welfare state. Rev. Wright is actually as conservative as Rev. Herman Cain and could sit and listen to a discussion between them for hours.

Uncles will praise your accomplishments but we will grind you up when you mess up. It will take the uncles and aunts in my community “reading” the youth if our futures are going to be better. Man, my Aunt Della could get you told for “old and new” with a quickness. I am keeping the family tradition.